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Do All Medical Alert Systems Have a Monthly Fee?
Not all medical alert devices require a monthly fee, but access to a 24/7 monitoring center and features like automatic fall detection usually incur a monthly cost to function.
Updated:
At a glance:
- Unmonitored medical alert systems only require upfront equipment or activation fees, not monthly monitoring fees, as they connect seniors directly to emergency contacts like 911, caregivers, or family members.
- Monitored systems require monthly fees ($37/month on average) to activate emergency services like professional monitoring, Caregiver apps, fall detection, and GPS tracking.
- In-home, landline-based help buttons generally have lower monthly costs, while on-the-go systems like wearable pendants, wristbands, and smartwatches are more expensive. However, mobile systems also regularly include more features.
If you or a senior loved one needs at-home or on-the-go mobility support, medical alert devices can play a key role in both daily peace of mind and lifesaving care. In the event of a medical emergency, these devices place emergency calls to either a monitoring center or a phone number of your choosing.
However, if you’re on a budget, it’s important to know which help buttons have a monthly fee and which do not. It’s also worth knowing what services these monthly fees provide.
Below, we deep-dive into different in-home systems and mobile devices based on their monthly monitoring fees or lack thereof, so you can find the best medical alert system for your unique situation.
Which Medical Alert Systems Don’t Require Monthly Fees?
Medical alert systems that don’t require monthly fees are generally unmonitored. Instead of connecting to an emergency response center, they call either emergency contacts or 911 directly when the help button is pressed. They come in both on-the-go and in-home systems, though there’s no guarantee you’ll receive real-time assistance when needed. The speed of assistance relies wholly on either the availability of contacts or local 911 service providers.
Conversely, for a monthly fee, 24/7 monitoring centers are always available to address medical emergencies and typically have response times under 30 seconds. Most add-ons for medical alert devices, including automatic fall detection, GPS location tracking, heart rate monitoring, and more, also require monthly fees to function.
If you want a basic button to press in emergencies that’s easier to navigate than a cell phone, unmonitored systems are a great way to save money long-term. Certain Apple Watches, Silent Beacon, and FastHelp devices can all provide emergency response services without monthly costs, though you will have to pay upfront equipment fees between $99 and $250.
What Do Monitored Medical Alert Systems Cost Each Month?
Monitored medical alert systems not only provide older adults access to a 24/7 monitoring center but also lifesaving features like automatic fall detection and GPS location tracking. The average monthly cost for monitoring services is $37, while fall detection typically adds $10 on top of that cost.
However, the true cost of monitored systems ultimately depends on the brand and whether you’ve chosen a mobile or in-home medical alert system. For instance, Bay Alarm Medical’s landline SOS Home base unit starts at just $27.95/month, while Medical Guardian’s MG Move smartwatch, which uses Wi-Fi and a cellular network, starts at $39.95/month.
Medical Guardian
Great variety
Call chain for caregivers
Sleek, stylish wearable devices
ADT Medical Alert
Great plans
Home temperature monitoring
Fixed-rate service
Should I Choose an Unmonitored or Monitored System?
The best medical alert system for your family depends on several factors, including your current mobility concerns, budget, and lifestyle. By comparing the options that have a monthly cost to those that don’t, you can determine whether the investment is worth it.
Level of Emergency Support
Unmonitored systems provide limited, variable emergency support, as the level of care you receive in an emergency depends on either your personal contacts or the local police station.
Monitored systems with monthly fees connect users to a 24/7 help center where trained agents can assess the situation, contact emergency responders, and give family members notifications. If you live alone or can’t communicate clearly during a medical emergency, you’re more likely to receive hasty intervention.
Ideal user:
- Unmonitored: Users with nearby caregivers or strong personal/healthcare-related support networks.
- Monitored: Seniors living alone or who have medical conditions that need consistent, reliable oversight.
Response Speed and Reliability
Unmonitored systems have unpredictable response times. For example, if your emergency contact is your daughter, who also serves as your caregiver, a simple missed call can have catastrophic consequences. Monitored systems, on the other hand, use landline or cellular service to reach an emergency response center quickly—often in under 30 seconds.
Ideal user:
- Unmonitored: Older adults with low-risk mobility concerns or who have access to immediate nearby assistance (relatives, police station, etc.).
- Monitored: Seniors with high-risk medical conditions like strokes, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and more.
Monthly Cost vs. Upfront Investment
Unmonitored systems only have a one-time fee, usually an equipment or activation fee, that can cost anywhere from $99 to $250. Monitored devices may or may not have these same upfront costs, but also require monthly payments averaging around $37. The monthly fee is required to maintain monitoring services and advanced features.
Ideal user:
- Unmonitored: Users with limited budgets who need long-term affordability.
- Monitored: Families prioritizing faster service and additional safety features over cost savings.
Features and Technology
Unmonitored systems offer basic functionality that’s typically limited to emergency calls. Monitored systems, on the other hand, can include advanced safety tools like automatic fall detection, GPS location tracking, two-way communication, and health tracking.
Ideal user:
- Unmonitored: Seniors aging in place who only want a simple help button.
- Monitored: Active or traveling seniors who want extra peace of mind while on the go.
Is There a Way To Cover Monthly Costs?
When it comes to both monitored and unmonitored medical alert systems, Original Medicare (Parts A and B) typically does not cover the upfront or monthly costs. However, it is possible to reduce or eliminate monthly fees through:
- Medicare Advantage (Part C): These plans typically require deductibles and copays, but they can help you qualify for medical alert system reimbursements and price cuts.
- Medicaid: Joint state and federal programs, like Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waivers, that can help you cover the cost of medical alert systems. Eligibility depends on your income, age, and health conditions.
- Veterans Benefits: Qualified veterans can access waivers and grants like the Veterans Directed Home and Community-Based Services (VD-HCBS) waiver, which helps cover the cost of medical alert devices.
- Nonprofits and Charities: Local organizations like the Lions Club and Agencies on Aging (AAA) can either help you pay for medical alert systems in full or provide access to donated or discounted systems.
- Health Savings Accounts (HSA): When approved by your healthcare provider, these tax-advantaged savings accounts can be used to withdraw pre-tax funds for medical alert systems.
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): Similar to HSAs, these plans might allow seniors to cover the cost of a medical alert device.
Additionally, certain private insurance companies and manufacturer payment plans may also help you cover the cost; though, these options don’t eliminate monthly expenses.
The Bottom Line: Medical Alerts & Monthly Fees
Unmonitored systems are the only medical alert option that doesn’t require monthly fees, but they have limited capabilities. Typically, they can only make emergency calls to either family members, caregivers, or local 911 operators.
Conversely, monitored medical alert devices require monthly fees to access the 24/7 help center and additional safety features. Though, you may be able to get the monthly cost covered by certain healthcare or local nonprofit programs.
Ultimately, both monitored and unmonitored medical alert systems have pros and cons, and you should carefully weigh your budget and mobility concerns before you invest.
Frequently Asked Questions on Medical Alerts & Monthly Fees
Monitored medical alert systems are often worth the investment for seniors with high-risk health conditions, those who travel regularly, or those who live alone. In these cases, the emergency monitoring center provides lifesaving assistance much faster than the typical unmonitored system would.
Original Medicare does not usually cover medical alert devices because they are not considered “medically necessary” durable medical equipment (DME).
If eligible, it’s possible to get a free medical alert device through certain healthcare programs, such as Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and Veterans Benefits. You might also have access to free or reduced-cost devices through local nonprofits.
Unmonitored systems can be either landline-based or use a cellular network, just like monitored systems. The difference lies in where the device connects to: emergency contacts for unmonitored systems and a dedicated help center for monitored systems.
Cellular systems generally cost more because mobile network technology offers compatibility with on-the-go accessories and enables more advanced safety features.
Yes, in addition to monthly billing, many medical alert companies offer semi-annual and annual payment plans. These plans cost more upfront, but can help you save money in the long term through discounted monitoring rates, waived fees, and bonus perks.
Both unmonitored and monitored medical alert systems can come with warranties, covering the cost of malfunctions for up to a year or more. To make sure you’re getting the best deal, it’s important to read the details of any device before you invest.
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